Warren R. Silzer - Advertising Executive
Warren Ralph Silzer, 87, who oversaw national advertising in The Washington Post as the paper's manager of general advertising from 1966 until his retirement in 1974, died November 6, 2008 at Inova Loudoun Hospital of acute renal failure with his son and his son's wife by his side.
Mr. Silzer, whose parents were Gus U. Silzer, Sr. and Helen Herron Silzer, was born at home in Sioux City, IA on May 11, 1921.
He served in the US Air Corps as a fighter pilot (a Flying Tiger) in WWII in the China/Burma/India (CBI) Theater. After WWII he joined the USAF Reserves where he reached the rank of Captain before his discharge in 1958.
He began his advertising career with the Sioux City Journal. In 1946 his Washington Post career began with his promotion to Manager of General Advertising occurring in 1966.
In retirement, he enjoyed fishing, extremely hard crossword puzzles, playing cribbage and was a voracious reader. Among his many favorite foods were peanut butter and black jellybeans.
Although he was a tough man, he had a soft heart and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his son, William R. Silzer of Sterling; his sister Helen (Holly) Spitler of Rock Rapids, IA; his brother Gus U. Silzer, Jr. of Des Moines, IA; and his step-daughter Sandra Scholtz of Fairfield, CA.

A visitation for family and friends will be held to share his memories at Colonial Funeral Home on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m.

In honor of Capt. Warren R. Silzer, donations are requested in lieu of flowers and may be sent to:
Flying Tiger Historical Organization, Inc.
P.O. Box 258
Groveland, CA 95321 or
www.flytigerheritagepark.com